A COVENTRY man waded into a fast-flowing river to save two pensioners from drowning.

The Sky Blues fan who had just seen his team beaten ended up rescuing a rival fan from the river.

Mark Drinkwater, aged 40, of Ernesford Grange, was driving through County Durham with his mother Margaret and sister Dorothy, last October, on a long weekend after watching his team lose to Sunderland when he saw two pensioners trapped in the middle of the River Wear.

The couple had been trying to ford the river when the current proved too strong.

As Mark stopped the car he could see them trying to get out of the vehicle while four people on the bank tried to work out how they could help.

As they watched, the 62-year-old woman went under, but her husband, aged 72, held on as the couple were dragged a further 10ft down river.

Taking in how serious was their plight, Mark, a warehouse operative, jumped straight in and strode to the couple, who were from Sunderland, and held on to them while shouting to the people on the bank to wade in and form a human chain.

Three men and a woman formed a chain 20ft long in water six feet deep, and the couple were passed along to the bank where they looked after them until the emergency services arrived.

Now Mark is to receive an award.

Mark said: "When we got the old man out of the water he spoke to me and I recognised the accent. I said 'if I'd known you were from Sunderland I would have thrown you back because you beat us', but he wasn't really with it. His wife was freezing and he was just walking around, he didn't know what was happening.

"When I got into the water it was so cold and it was really going through fast. When I got to them he was holding her and was determined not to let go and that made me more determined.

"At the time I didn't have time to think - the old cliche - I just saw the current taking them."

After Coventry City's defeat Mark had decided to make it a long weekend and visit his sister who lives in Bishop Auckland.

Mr Drinkwater's efforts were recognised this week by the Royal Humane Society and he is to be presented with the Testimonial on Vellum certificate signed by the society's patron, Princess Alexandra.

He said: "It was totally pure luck that we were driving in the area at that time. If we were five or 10 minutes the other way it doesn't bear thinking about."

A spokesman for Durham police said: "He probably saved their lives. In recognition, the chief constable will be presenting Mr Drinkwater with his Royal Humane Society certificate at a future awards presentation."

The two fishermen and a husband and wife who helped in the rescue will also receive Royal Humane Society awards.

Christopher Tyler, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: "All five truly deserve their awards."